Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-12-28
The Three Americas-Spain.

TIoN 8S9-CoMMEMoRATINa IN 1892 THE
400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY
OF AMERICA-A PERMANENT EXHIBITION
OF THE THREE AMERICAS.
The movement commenced by the bill
introduced by Senator German, of Mary
land, in the United States Senate 10 March,
1886, followed by the petition signed by
Commercial Associations and other organi-
cations connected with the material prog
ress of the country, and laid by the same
Senator before that body for the purpose OF
celebrating in 1889 the one hundredth ami
versary of the Republic of the United States
and in 1899 the four hundredth of the dis
covery of America, has progressed, &C.
cumulating strength, and the prepare
tions for proper manifestation by the
Government and the people of these grand
events by memorial celebrations at Wash
ington are rapidly maturing.
Since the movement was inaugurated, the
design of a permanent exhibition has been
added to it, which will also be established
at the seat of Government, and through it
furnish in all the future, illustrations OF
our past career as nation, and daily ad-
ding, as time rolls on, the evidences of prog
ress in eech and every part OF our
great country.
Tt is not necessary to enumerate all the
plans which are being perfected under the
direction of the Board of Promotion at
Washington, with Mr.. Alexander D. An
derson, the able Secretary executing the
same. The Governor of each State and
Territory, the President and Secretary of
the State Agricultural Societies, the same
officers of the Chambers of Commerce and
Boards of Trade 10 the United States, the
Regents of the Mount Vernon Association,
&C., &C., are members of the Board of
Promotion, and, through this extended
medium of communication, the Secretary
is now industriously and efficiently engaged
in disseminating information, and invoking
cooperation for properly observing the
events referred to, and for placing at the
Capital living and growing and continuing
Illustrations of the resources, Development,
progress, and power of the nation.
The other fifteen Republics on the Ameri-
can Continent will unite with ours In these
demonstrations, and the Minister of State
of Spain has communicated with MIR. Cur
~, our Minister at the Court of that coun-
try, informing him of the purpose Of the
Government of Spain to take initiative
proceedings for celebrating the 4OOth ami
versary Of the discovery by the "Glorious
Navigator" The programme for the fes-
tival has not been determined on, but it
will embrace an invitation TO all the ma
t;ons who people the territories discovered
by Columbus to take part in the celebra-
ton, At the same time, our Minister was
informed that Spain vas prepared to take
part in any other demonstration celebrating
that event which may be undertaken on the
American continent.
If there were no other objects in view,
ths proposed anniversary celebrations would
| rebound to the perpetual honor of our own
and the countries participating in them,
but other and grand purposes-inaugura-
ting new era in commercial progress and
closer relations between the Governments
and the people of the three Americas, are
ssquels that will give new life and new de-
velopments to all concerned.
Mexico and the countries of Central and
South America import from other countries
to the amount of $500, 000 900. Of this
trade, soon to be doubled, the United States
furnish less than $50, 100000 Of exports
not oue-sixth. All the balances is received
from England, France, Germany, &C.
These are the figures ascertained when
summing up the general commerce, the
largest portion of which is of manufactured
com nodites of the kinds produced in the
amount of these articles we send to our
sister Republics in the South and to Brazil
| is SO small as hardly to deserve a record
However, this is In keeping with the policy
ed, for of the manufactures of the United
States, producing values 10 the amount of
81, 900, 600, 900, only per cent of this
enormous production is sent out of the
country. We pay heavily for the foreign
commerce we have, and will continue to do
so until a change is made in our policy OF
paying tribute to foreign vessels for out
ward, as we'll as for inward delivery.
AS organized bodies Of the people, for
promoting the general welfare of the States
and communities in which they exist, have
been solicited to aid in the designs already
explained, it is unguestionably their duty
to do SO, and it is gratifying to observe how
generally they have complied. as the report
of the Secretary, Mr.. Anderson, shows
Apart from the general interest, an exami-
nation will show how vast are the local
benefits to be derived in the successful
prosecution of au enlargement of CONNER
cial intercourse with the countries named
Naturally, we look over Virginia, and oul
own locality to discern the truth Of this
statement, and we find abundant evidence
to sustain it. The countries with which We
are seeking closer alliance are large buyers
of bread-stuffs, and the demand there il
now small in proportion to what it is to be
hereafter. They also buy labor-saving i'm.
plements, especially those employed in
soil-culture, clothing, shoes, hats, cotton
and woollen fabrics, &C., and the increased
demand for these articles will grow as i,
does for good bread-supplies. To arrange
for enlarged commerce with our Southern
neighbors, OR indeed with other countries,
implies, of course, the preparation of facili.
ties to conduct it-that is, full fleets OF
home owned merchant-vessels. With such